TBI introduces Australia’s first synagogue streaming services

Melbourne’s largest progressive synagogue Temple Beth Israel (TBI) has become the first Jewish community in Australia to stream Sabbath (Shabbat), High Holy Day, festival services and concerts live from its website tbi.org.au through ‘TBI TV.’

The initiative is being promoted as an example of TBI’s philosophy of respecting Jewish history and heritage, while engaging with the opportunities and challenges of the modern world.

TBI Rabbi Gersh Lazarow says he was determined to embark on this project when an elderly grandmother expressed disappointment at missing her grandson’s bar mitzvah.

“I realised that technology could facilitate one of our core functions – that is to provide members with relevant and accessible pathways for Jewish engagement.

“By streaming services we are providing access to services to those in remote areas, the elderly, the infirm and even those who simply want to lounge around home on a Saturday,” says Lazarow.

“While it is uncommon for synagogues to film services, I believe the benefit of enabling members and others to find meaning and engage with Judaism, far outways any initial discomfort people may have with the use of the technology.”

Since TBI began streaming services in January 2015, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Shepparton psychologist Glenda Jones makes the three-hour return journey to St Kilda for services each Saturday morning. Every Friday evening now TBI TV provides her with the opportunity to join a spiritually fulfilling communal experience in an area where no other Jewish services are available.

“It is very exciting,” says Ms Jones. “Because we live at such a distance it means we can have a Shabbat service at home and still participate in the community and connect to welcoming the Shabbat.”

Lior Rauchberger from Urban Intelligence remarks: “While other organisations have aspects of this technology such as hearing loops, video recording facilities and enhanced audio systems, as far as I am aware the system we installed for TBI is the first of its kind in any synagogue in Australia.”

By Anthony Frosh
The Community Security Group (CSG) performs an important function for the Jewish community. In the current state of global affairs, the role of the CSG has become more vital than ever. The vast …

Here’s what you need to read about before Shabbes….
1) Osher on moustaches
2) Timmy being awesome at Jewish Care
3) Women destroying the (rabbinic) joint
4) Yaron on paranoia
***
1) From the inimitable Osher Gutnick:
‘I dropped in on mum on the …

By Alex Fein:
Hi all.
I’m back, taking over from Bracha, for another tour of duty as editor at this Melbourne Jewish institution.
Over the years, Galus has provided its readers with news, debate, and stories about Jewish …